Well it’s a little known fact that bicycle messengers feel under appreciated. But that is just from others. Not from peers with bike messenger jobs. No one appreciates themselves more than the messenger community. We hold messenger races in appreciation of ourselves, have national and international competitions/parties to celebrate the career. But one day trumps all others. And that day is 10-9 day. Or better known as “messenger appreciation day”. The celebration is held on October Ninth.

Here are some pics from last years 10-9 in Portland. Let’s just say things got a little out of hand. It all started with a nice group shot.

Portland United Messenger Association

Then we added a few beers.

PBR ASAP

But Messenger appreciation day is more than beer and good friends. Below is a detailed explanation.

Here is little more detailed explanation from Mess Media.

10-9 Day

Messenger Appreciation Day

October 9th

In 1991, a mayoral proclamation decreed that October 9 of every year would be Messenger Appreciation Day in San Francisco. October 9 is “10-9″ in radio code and means “Say again” or “What?” 10-9 Day is celebrated informally all over the world. In 1997 Toronto joined San Francisco in celebrating Messenger Appreciation Day with a joint proclamation from the City of Toronto and Metro Toronto.

10-9 Day has been proclamied or recognized by Calgary, Chicago (proclamation), Edmonton, Portland, SanFrancisco, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver , Houston andWashington DC.

The United Nations has also proclaimed October 9 as “World Post Day”

Let’s congratulate all bike couriers on the benefits they bring to our cities:

a solution to the problems of pollution, congestion and gridlock faced by large urban centres
reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the downtown core
take up less space on the road and do less damage to the roads than cars resulting in better conditions and streets for all road users
increase the safety of pedestrians compared to cars. (studies show that pedestrians are “250 times as likely to be injured by a car, bus or taxi” than a bike.)
aid charities
draw tourists and international attention to cities through events and races
provide a value added service that continuously improving firms seek out as a means to reduce costs and improve efficiency (crucial to the movement of important information)
are ambassadors of goodwill for the city
provide a link between many of urban homeless people and the rest of the downtown core
year round cyclists who promote the bicycle as a viable form of transportation and economic development

Ok Now back to more pictures.
Someone was trying to steal James' PBR, "Catch me if you can!"

All that running will work up an big appetite. Below is some of the wonderful food had at this years 10-9 Day.

Snacks for all. Just no plates.

You can check the Career Courier Facebook Fan Page for a complete download of pictures.